The African Development Bank Group and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand collaboration across agriculture, health, climate resilience, skills development and private sector growth in Africa.
Signed in Abidjan, the agreement establishes a framework for long-term cooperation that combines the African Development Bank Group’s financing and regional reach with Brazil’s experience in areas including tropical agriculture, renewable energy, public health systems and enterprise development.
Partnership focuses on shared development priorities
Martin Fregene, Officer in Charge of the Vice Presidency for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, signed the agreement on behalf of the African Development Bank Group. Paulo de Souza Amado, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Brazil in Côte d’Ivoire, signed on behalf of the Brazilian Cooperation Agency.
The partners said they will work together to scale practical solutions to development challenges across the continent, drawing on expertise and resources from both institutions.
Long-term cooperation framework established
Paulo de Souza Amado, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Brazil in Côte d’Ivoire: “The Memorandum lays the foundation for a long-term partnership. A partnership that goes beyond one-off initiatives to promote structural transformations, strengthen national capacities, expand triangular cooperation and mobilise resources as well as know-how on a large scale.”
Representing African Development Bank Group President Sidi Ould Tah at the signing ceremony, Martin Fregene highlighted the alignment between the Bank’s priorities and Brazil’s experience in sectors critical to Africa’s development.
Agriculture and health among key focus areas
Martin Fregene, Officer in Charge of the Vice Presidency for Agriculture, Human and Social Development: “Across Africa, we are working to improve food security, adapt to climate change, strengthen health systems, and create jobs for young people. I have seen firsthand how Brazil brings relevant expertise and experience in many of these same areas, including agricultural innovation, renewable energy, public health systems, and skills development. This agreement creates a structured way to connect these strengths.”
In agriculture, the partnership will support climate-smart farming, irrigation, mechanisation, agro-processing, agricultural enterprise development and applied research.
The health component will focus on strengthening health systems, workforce development, digital health technologies and bio-manufacturing, including vaccine and pharmaceutical production.
Support for business development and energy
The agreement also includes cooperation in finance and private sector development, with particular attention to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and efforts to strengthen commercial links between Africa and Brazil.
Additional areas of collaboration include renewable energy, bioenergy, carbon markets, nature-based solutions, technical and vocational education, higher education modernisation, innovation ecosystems and youth entrepreneurship.
Building on decades of collaboration
The memorandum builds on an established relationship between the African Development Bank Group and Brazil, which became a non-regional member of the Bank in 1982. It also expands previous cooperation through the South–South Cooperation Trust Fund and joint initiatives with the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation.
According to the Bank, the agreement supports the priorities outlined in President Sidi Ould Tah’s Four Cardinal Points agenda, which focuses on mobilising finance, strengthening partnerships, building resilience and delivering measurable improvements in livelihoods, particularly for women and young people.
SOURCE
AFRICA BUSINESS COMMUNITIES